From the Editor
Timneh African Greys
An Angle Among Us-X
The Under-rated Timneh Grey
All About Greys
Two Pair of Timnehs
Poicephalus Q & A
This and That, from the Co-Editor
Echo at 12 weeks
Timneh African Grey
(photo by Rita Shimniok)
Dear APS members:
Well, we've gone from winter to summer in just one day. The
summer heat has gotten to everybody across the United States. I
know my birds were shocked by the sudden change. I have babies in
nestboxes with the outside temperature nearing 95·+. The last
group of my Greys are on eggs now and I can't wait until they
hatch and I can pull them. I may even break my golden rule and
pull them early. It seems the birds can take the cold a lot
better than the heat.
...
In talking to a few breeders across the country, I have learned
it has been a really good year for the African parrots for a lot
of people. I hope you were one of them. Next year's census should
be outstanding. Of course, everyone out there did mail in their
census this year, or at least has it in an envelope ready to go?
Keep the articles coming, we need all the input we can get. Hope
you enjoy this issue of The Ark.
Jean Pattison
Greys with a Difference
Psittacus erithacus timneh, Timneh African Greys, differ
in appearance from the nominate species in that they are
generally darker and smaller and have maroon instead of bright
red tails. Some Timnehs are born with red, "polka-dotted
pantaloons", and they may keep these dots through adulthood.
The red on these dots is bright, not the muted color of the adult
Timneh tail. In many Timneh babies, the tail is also originally
bright red but it generally "bleeds out" before the
birds fledge. I have noticed a great deal of color variation in
the non-grey feathers of Timnehs, although their grey body
feathers have less individual variance than do the body feathers
of Psittacus erithacus erithacus or Congo African Grey.
...
Timnehs have some distinct advantages over the Congo. In general
(and when discussing any living creature, one can only use
generalities) they tend to be less moody then the regular Grey.
They are less inclined to feather pluck and seem to be more even
tempered and easy going. I believe that their compact size
(somewhere around 300 grams, but there is tremendous variation in
this) is an advantage for some folks. Generally speaking, I find
the Timnehs to be a bit more handleable through adulthood than
the Congo. Nevertheless, I have sold several Greys of both
subspecies whom I have raised with Cockatoos, and all of these
chicks seem to be more mellow (I call them "Cockatoo
enhanced") than chicks raised in direct contact with only
other Greys.
Conclusion
In short, I think that those of us who are breeding birds would
do well to breed Timnehs. They are prolific, and make great
companion birds. As companion bird enthusiasts become more
knowledgeable, Timnehs can only continue to grow in popularity.
Despite an initially poor prognosis, Angel, my Greater Vasa friend, celebrated her third birthday in January. She was only to have lived a few months when she first arrived, but the big black miracle has outlived all the predictions regarding her life span. Angel is thriving. She is in the best condition that I have ever seen. Her temperament has mellowed and she is relaxed. Maturity may have causes some of these shifts, but I feel she is at ease because she is no longer in pain.
Angel
(photo by Bonnie Jay)
...
This article continues with several stories on Angles travels,
problems, and picture taking. Bonnie Jay is documenting the
complete life cycle change of the female VASA as Angle matures.
Whenever I am asked what my favorite parrot is, Jardine's is my immediate response. However, I am always quick to add that the Timneh African Grey runs a very tight race in the contest for my affections. Because of their enchanting beauty and the challenge of locating specific individuals, my dedication to the Greater Jardine's parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus), will always be number one. But, few babies that I raise can compare with the delightful exuberance displayed by my Timnehs.
Baby Timneh Greys
(photo by Rita Shimniok)
...
The only negative comment I have regarding the Timneh Grey is
that they are typically a more difficult bird to raise versus the
more prolific Congo. For this reason, if one is attempting to
find a Timneh they often have a hard time. Because Timnehs do not
readily produce, you would think that they would command a price
at least equal to that of the much more abundant Congo Grey. But
demand always plays an important role in pricing any product, and
many people are programmed to think that bigger is better.
If only they knew what they were missing! The Timneh African
Grey, beautiful in its suit of many shades of Grey and
distinguished maroon tail, is a charming, entertaining, and
intelligent creature. If you are considering an African Grey for
a pet, I suggest you rate the Timneh high on your list.
Mollie Groendyke asked about the various mixes of Greys in
breeding: wild-caught vs. domestically bred and parent-raised vs.
hand-fed. Which is best? Will there be a market for parent-raised
baby parrots?
I think that the answers to these questions are totally dependent
on the species of parrot. Some breeders will tell you that the
best breeding Macaws are the ones which are old pets. Yet, tame
Palm Cockatoo males are supposed to be worthless as breeders.
...
The best Grey pairs of the future will be those carefully
selected domestically-raised babies which are chosen because
their older siblings made great pets and because their parents
were prolific breeders. Properly hand-fed and placed back in the
aviary to learn from the older breeders, these youngsters should
prove to be the Greys to take us into the 21st century.
I have a microaviary, a spare bedroom, in the Boston, Massachusetts area. In it I have two pair of mature wild-caught Timnehs, (one of them proven) a pair of juvenile Jardine's, one pair of juvenile Red-bellied parrots and one pair of juvenile Lovebirds, all domestic. Until recently I also had three pair of African Finches (I have an African dog too!) and two pair of prolific Pacific Parrotlets, which I bred for two years as a kind of self-training program for breeding Poicephalus. The Parrotlets are small but big, if you know what I mean and I definitely learned a lot.
Timneh Grey
(photo by Rita Shimniok)
...
This article continues by talking about the Set Up, Diet, and
Breeding of Ely Fuler's Timnehs.
Q. Have you had any personal experience with snakes in and
around your aviary? I am considering putting some of my breeders
outside, and would like to know how you determine cage wire size.
Betty
...
Q. I have a pair of breeding Senegals, that produce three
clutches a year. The hen sits very well until about 2-3 days
before hatching, and I have to pull the eggs, finish incubating,
and feeding from day one. The eggs are always ice cold when I
pull them, but I manage to somehow save them . Is this how it is
always going to be for this pair, and what can I do differently.
Thanks, Sammy
...
The Timneh African Grey holds a special place in my heart
because this was the first African parrot I owned and the first
African parrot that produced for me. I had raised Lovebirds
before my Timnehs but never really invested the time to learn
more about these parrots.
...
Next came a "real" pair of Greys, then another. I
started reading about African Poicephalus parrots and wanted to
experience the thrill of raising these birds. I remember
remarking to a member of the parrot club that I had read about
and seen a photo of African Cape parrots and my goal was to own a
pair.
His reply was, "Why in the world would anyone want such an
ugly parrot! Let me give you the name of a good Amazon
breeder."
That was the final straw. That remark made me realize I was a
devote lover of the African species and everyone was going to
know it!
Soon after... I quit the parrot club.
Randy